Wireless, Self-Contained Elevator Call Request Entry System

• US 20080264731A1
• Filed: 10/04/2005
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Inventors: Mangini, Richard J., Stranieri, Paul, Pulling, Richard J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,958,971 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 187/382
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/463 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/468 Call registering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 19/007 method for modernisation of elevators
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/4615 Wherein the destination is registered before boarding
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/463 Wherein the call is registered through physical contact with the elevator system
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/4676 for checking authorization of the passengers

Abstract

A wireless, portable call request entry kiosk (14) has a control panel (19) with keys (20, 21) and a display panel for entering calls and informing passengers of the responding elevator. The kiosk has wireless communication (42, 56) with a building (43) where the kiosk is located, to transmit call requests to a dispatching controller (48). The kiosk operates on a rechargeable source such as a battery (51). A sensor (52) determines a lull in traffic, causing the kiosk to operate in a low power consumption mode.

Claims

1. An elevator call request entry system by means of which passengers will indicate a desire for elevator service to commence at a floor lobby (25) of a building (43), characterized by:

a wireless, portable call entry kiosk (14) having a controller (40) and rechargeable power source (51);

means (20) disposed within the kiosk for registering a passenger request for elevator service at a lobby of the building where the kiosk is located;

a dispatching controller (48) fixed within the building and interconnected with elevators (26-29) controlled thereby; and

a wireless transmission means (42, 46) for communicating requests for elevator service from said kiosk to said dispatching controller.

2. A system according to claim 1 further characterized by:

a charging station (53, 54) fixed within said building (43) for charging said rechargeable power source (51).

3. A system according to claim 1 further characterized by:

a sensor (52) disposed within said kiosk to determine a lull in passenger traffic;

and wherein;

said controller 40 causes operation of said kiosk in a low power consumption mode in response to said sensor indicating a lull in passenger traffic.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

said wireless transmission means (42, 46) is implemented with ethernet transmission.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

said means (20) for registering a passenger request is a tactile key switch panel.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

said means (20) for registering a passenger request is a programmable touch responsive screen.